Abstract

We have reported previously that loop diuretics, especially azosemide and ethacrynic acid, may act not only on the AVP receptor site, but also on the post-AVP receptor site in rat renal tubular basolateral membranes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether loop diuretics (furosemide, azosemide, ethacrynic acid) affect the post-AVP receptor components, using GTP-gamma S, forskolin and cholera toxin as tools acting distal to the receptor. Adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by 10(-9)M AVP was inhibited more potently by azosemide and ethacrynic acid than by furosemide at the concentration of 10(-3) M. Azosemide and ethacrynic acid at concentrations above 10(-4) M also significantly decreased the enzyme activity that was stimulated by 10(-7) M GTP-gamma S and 10(-5)M forskolin, while significant inhibition by furosemide was observed only at 10(-3)M. In addition, the inhibitory effect of these loop diuretics on cholera toxin-stimulated enzyme activity was almost similar to the results observed in AVP-, GTP-gamma S- or forskolin-stimulated the enzyme activity. From these results, we conclude that loop diuretics, especially azosemide and ethacrynic acid, directly affect adenylate cyclase in part as well as the AVP receptor site.